[superbam]

I think the nation state has decreasing relavence in the world and I think nationalism/patriotism tends to gloss over other more important cleavages that need to be addressed. BUT I (perhaps naievely) believe Scotland as an independent nation state will strive towards a society more in line with my convictions than one which the political body of the UK is heading towards. That is my only real use for the nation and nationalism. If i didnt believe this was the case then I wouldnt have any use for it - nationalism and the nation means little to me if in a political sense if it does not coincide with the direcion I want things to go. For me Independence is not an end in itself and nationalism can only be a vehicle for other, larger ideals.